By Crystal Donaldson

BLOOMINGTON – Bike Blono is attempting to humanize bikers with its safety awareness campaign.

Vice President of Bike Blono Mike McCurdy said the campaign highlights the fact that cyclists are just trying to get somewhere, and are not just a nuisance to drivers.

“There’s a thing called a punishment pass where [the driver] passes closely and intentionally, to sort of teach the cyclist a lesson or to send them a message that they don’t think the cyclist belongs on the road,” said McCurdy.

McCurdy said he wants drivers to understand that once the cyclist makes it to their destination they will provide essential services to the community.

“In our campaign we have a grocery store manager, a dentist and a high school counselor. All of those people bike to work regularly and a motorist may just see them as a bicyclist, but later on they’ll be filling a cavity, stocking the shelves or providing services to a student,” he finished.

McCurdy advised giving cyclist at least three feet on the road.

Crystal Donaldson can be reached at [email protected].